Position Summary Reporting to the Director, the Assistant Director assists in the financial management structure and management of $40 million school operating budget, including significant non-tuition revenues (endowments and grants); oversees annual budget submission; produces monthly, quarterly, and project-based reports for various Columbia units as well as external sponsors and conducts quarterly and year-end close procedures; responsible for entering and processing accounting functions (payables, receivables, purchasing, and journal entries); manages restricted and capital funds; and manages the overall budget tracking and reconciliation process through collaboration among Journalism departments.
Responsibilities Budget Planning & Management - Assists budget holders in preparing annual budget requests and works with the Director to prepare school-wide submission to OMB
- Prepares and analyzes monthly, quarterly, and ad-hoc reports for program managers, department heads and the Dean
- Monitors and facilitates the annual budget close-out process, including ensuring that all financial performance goals and deadlines are met
- Works closely with other finance officers in the University, particularly at OMB, Sponsored Projects Finance, and the Controller's office, to ensure compliance and integration with the financial vision
Grant, Endowment and Restricted Funds Oversight - Assists principal investigators in preparing budget proposals for grant and sponsored projects, ensures that spending is undertaken according to the funders intent, and provides timely financial reports to funders and PI's
- Works with the Development office to review, track, and report on spending on grant funds, and ensures that spending is conducted in accordance with grant terms and conditions and the university's Uniform Guidance for grant spending. Prepares quarterly financial reports for PI review, as well as any financial report required by the grantor
- Works with the Development office to review, track, and report on spending out of endowed funds, and ensures that spending is conducted in accordance with donor's wishes
Manages Accounting Functions - Develops and update internal procedures and implements business expense policies, including applicable School, University, and government regulations
- Manages accounts payables and receivables, approving financial and business transactions, recommending administrative fee charges, billing, and ensuring collection of receivables
Strategic Planning and Forecasting - Supports strategic planning initiatives at the School, including assisting with forecasting academic and administrative program needs, recommending cost control and resource saving alternatives, and leveraging partnerships and collaborations to benefit the School
- Assists program managers and department heads to review program plans and determine fiscal impact of programmatic decisions and alternatives
Develop and Sustain the Financial Management Structure - Continuous refinement and enhancement of financial management tools for departments, general finance and accounting, and executive reporting
- Develops and communicates written standard internal operating guidelines and procedures for business and finance activities
- Monitors and facilitates current and new protocols/procedures for transacting with Central University financial offices, such as Budget, Controller, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Student Accounts, Bursar and Sponsored Projects Finance
Training and Tracking Support - Participates in University-wide initiatives to improve financial accountability at all levels of fiscal responsibility
- Develops and conducts trainings and workshops on financial policies and procedures, and works to expand the use of fiscal data to inform programmatic and operational decisions
Minimum Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree required, preferably in accounting or finance. Experience: A minimum of 3 years related experience, preferably in a non-profit and/or higher education environment. Other Skills: Knowledge of Columbia University's accounting system (ARC/FDS/FinSys) preferred; accounting and auditing principles required; financial grant management experience required; higher education, fund and endowment accounting practices strongly preferred; demonstrates proficiency in data compilation, manipulation and analysis, generating financial information on non-financial end-users, addressing internal customer needs and data warehousing and reporting. Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills; attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and a customer service orientation; experience working in a University environment; training and employee development experience; proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and higher education financial information systems; and excellent written and oral communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications - Type preferred qualifications
Other Requirements - Type other requirements and/or special indicators if CUIMC
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents. |
